The scorched earth whispered of ruin. The skeletal remains of burnt villages dotted the horizon, their charred timbers standing like twisted monuments to the Black Sun's cruelty. Yet Dikun Silver rode forward without hesitation, the Silver Company marching in grim silence behind him.
No fear. No doubt. Only purpose.
Gareth rode close, his spear resting across his saddle. Though he bore the title of squire, there was little left of the uncertain youth who had once trembled at the edge of battle. The blood of the Black Sun still stained his hands, and the cries of their fallen lingered in his mind. But Dikun had spoken no words of reprimand — only pride.
"The true test of a squire," Dikun had said, "is not in strength, but in resolve."
And Gareth would not falter.
---
The Road Through Ruin
The company passed through the remains of what had once been a bustling village. Smoke still clung to the ruined earth, and the stench of burnt wood mingled with something far worse. Bodies — men, women, and children — lay strewn across the ground, their lifeless forms twisted in agony.
Elira rode ahead, her sharp eyes scanning for any sign of movement. Even her steady hand lingered near her bow, as though the shadows themselves threatened to strike.
"Scouts," she murmured, her voice tight. "The Black Sun watches us still."
Dikun's jaw clenched. "Let them watch. When the time comes, we will be the storm that sweeps them away."
But it was not the bandits that troubled him. It was the silence. Villages were meant to be filled with laughter, with the clatter of carts and the calls of merchants. Yet the only sound that reached them now was the mournful wail of the wind.
"Why leave nothing?" Gareth asked, his voice low. "No supplies taken. No prisoners."
"Terror," Rudric answered grimly. "They leave no survivors because fear spreads faster than fire."
"And fear weakens resolve," Dikun added. "They seek to break the people before we can stand against them."
"But they will fail," Elira said, her gaze hard. "Because we are not broken."
Dikun nodded. "No. We are not."
---
The Burden of Command
By dusk, the company halted near the edge of a ruined mill. The skeletal structure leaned precariously, its charred blades stilled forever. Beneath its broken shadow, the Silver Company prepared camp.
Dikun sat apart, the flickering firelight casting long shadows across his face. Maps lay spread before him, marked with the grim reminders of the Black Sun's destruction.
"Sir," Gareth approached, his voice steady but hesitant. "The wounded are tended to, and the men are fed. No sign of movement from the enemy."
Dikun nodded but did not look up. "And the scouts?"
"They ride the perimeter. Elira leads them."
"Good."
An uneasy silence lingered. Gareth shifted slightly, his hands tightening at his sides. "I… I wanted to thank you. For your trust, my lord. I won't fail you."
Dikun's eyes met his squire's. "You already carry the weight of that trust, Gareth. But a squire's burden is not only his own. The lives of others will soon rest on your decisions. And when that time comes, hesitation will cost you dearly."
Gareth swallowed hard but nodded. "I understand."
"Good," Dikun said once more, though his gaze did not soften. "Because your time is near."
---
A Test of Resolve
The following morning, as the crimson sun broke over the horizon, Dikun called the company to assembly.
"The Black Sun moves swiftly," he announced, his voice firm. "But we will not chase shadows. Scouts report a supply train moving eastward — food, weapons, and horses. If we cut it off, we cripple them."
A murmur of approval rippled through the ranks.
"Gareth," Dikun continued, his gaze locking with his squire's. "You will lead the raid."
The young man stiffened. "Me, my lord?"
"You know the land," Dikun said. "You've seen their tactics. Take ten riders. Strike swiftly and without mercy. But remember — the mission is not victory at all costs. It is survival. Bring our men back."
Gareth's heart pounded, but he did not waver. "I will not fail."
Dikun nodded. "Then go. The company rides with you in spirit."
As Gareth mounted his horse, the weight of his newfound responsibility settled upon him. But it was not fear that gripped him — it was determination.
---
A Shadow in the Court
Far from the scorched earth of the southern roads, the grand halls of Rattay whispered with their own brand of danger. Lords and merchants exchanged veiled words beneath the banners of gold and crimson, each seeking to gain favor and power.
But amidst the murmurs of politics, a single name rose time and time again — Dikun Silver.
And none spoke it more frequently than Selina Valtoris.
"His actions draw the eyes of the court," one noble sneered. "A knight with no birthright. A sellsword given land and title."
"And yet," Selina replied smoothly, her emerald eyes glinting, "it is his name that echoes across the realm. Not yours."
The noble flushed with anger, but Selina did not linger. She moved through the court like a shadow — graceful, untouchable. Though she bore no crown, her presence commanded respect.
And in the shadows, she watched. Every whisper of rebellion, every plot spun in secret — she heard it all.
For the Black Sun was not the only enemy Dikun Silver would face.
And Selina Valtoris would ensure that when the storm came, it would not catch him unaware.
---
Next Chapter: Echoes of the Black Sun
Gareth leads his first raid, but the Black Sun is prepared.
Dikun faces new challenges as alliances within the court begin to crumble.
Selina's influence grows as she uncovers dangerous plots.
The enemy's true purpose begins to reveal itself.
Shall I proceed with the next chapter?